RESUMO

The Schistosoma mansoni Venom Allergen-Like proteins (SmVALs) are members of the SCP/TAPS (Sperm-Coating Protein/Tpx-1/Ag5/PR-1/Sc7) protein superfamily, which may be important in host-pathogen interactions. Whole mount in situ hybridisation demonstrated a distinct expression pattern in oral and ventral suckers of adult worms for SmVAL6 and in the oesophageal gland for SmVAL7 transcripts, respectively. Additionally, immunocytochemistry analysis corroborated SmVAL7 expression in the oesophageal gland. Analysis of protein expression across the parasite's life cycle revealed that the SmVAL6 protein is upregulated in cercariae and adult male worms. Furthermore, SmVAL6 protein was identified by mass spectrometry in tegument fractions of adult worms. Finally, we speculate on possible functions of these two SmVALs at the host-parasite interface.

Assuntos

Alérgenos/biossíntese , Antígenos de Helmintos/biossíntese , Expressão Gênica , Proteínas de Helminto/biossíntese , Schistosoma mansoni/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Estruturas Animais/química , Animais , DNA de Helmintos/química , DNA de Helmintos/genética , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Hibridização In Situ , Masculino , Espectrometria de Massas , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Schistosoma mansoni/química , Schistosoma mansoni/genética , Análise de Sequência de DNA